Written by contributor Shreya Shukla
We’re halfway done with 2021 and what another wild year it has been! But despite all that, we’ve had many positive things to love forward to, including more Sapphic representation in SFF Books, yes you read that correctly! Read on to discover 10 Sapphic SFF books that have released this year and you can’t get in your hands ASAP!
Persephone Station by Stina Leicht
A space opera that is very queer with a high-stakes adventure! Hugo Award Nominated author Stina Leicht creates a world full of POCs and Queer characters within the science fiction genre, friendships with representation, and exploration of gender.
The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner
From the author of Unnatural Magic comes a new historical sapphic bodyguard romance. Full of action, and Victorian feels, witches and necromancers, and a band of strong women to fight against the bad.
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
This is a reimagining of Dracula’s brides, in a lyrical and dreamy way. A story of desire, obsession, and anticipation. Sapphic yearning at opera with a gothic backdrop, a blood soaked tale where the heroine embraces monstrosity, kisses in Cathedrals, polyamorous relationships, and vengeance all await you.
A Dark and Hollow Star by Ashley Shuttleworth
A wholesome Queer found family within this Toronto based urban fantasy! This is a story of revenge, vengeance, love, and friendship. A Dark and Hollow Star follows four Queer teens as their paths and worlds collide. Full of mythology, it’s blended perfectly with the modern era, fae court politics, and fury revenge.
Sweet and Bitter Magic by Adrienne Tooley
This novel follows Tamsin, a witch who is cursed to never love, when she meets meets Wren who is willing to provide her all the love she needs if she can save their Queendom from the magical plague. Love bargains with life-or-death consequences!
The Unbroken by C.L. Clark
An incredible epic fantasy that is politically charged, about choosing sides, and loyalty. It follows Touraine, a soldier who is off to put down a rebellious colony, and in between assassinations and murders, war rooms and politics, two girls haggle over the price of the nation and what price everyone has to pay when their destinies entangle.
Malice by Heather Walter
A sapphic queer, dark, magical retelling of Sleeping Beauty, but this time the princess doesn’t fall for the Prince, but instead she falls in love with the evil sorceress. A tale of forbidden love, a darker side of a fairytale…
These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy
A sapphic retelling of the Russian folktale The Firebird with plenty of political intrigue, a Queendom without a queen, and the sisters left with the mystery of the dead queen. Destructive magical powers, richly detailed, court politics, and a bodyguard romance will cause you to devour this book whole!
A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark
A stunning fantasy story that is set in an alternate universe Cairo and comes from Nebula, Locus, and Alex Award-Winner P. Djèlí Clark. The novel follows a lesbian detective amidst murder, chaos, and magic, whilst trying to restore the peace to the city from the imposter who is trying to create unrest.
She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
A bold, lyrical, queer reimagining of the rise of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty and can be described as Mulan meets Song of Achilles. This is powerful, brutal fantasy with war and an appealing anti-heroine who will do anything to achieve her goal. Emotionally charging, unforgiving, brutal, and blood soaked.
Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon, Breaking Legacies by Zoe Reed, and The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri are really good
A Master of Djinn was fabulous, and I’m so glad that I didn’t let my earlier impressions of some of his earlier work keep me from reading it!
Take care,
Shira
THE JASMINE THRONE by Tasha Suri
Persephone Station is the one i’m looking forward the most! Great list!!!
Love this list! A Dowry Of Blood is completely new to me!